COMP THIS....?

In the interests of change and diversity after several weeks of Chevy ads, the CAWS will return to comps....and, for better or worse, there will be more later on. Comps, as said before, can be just about any kind of presentation before finished art was ordered. They could be as simple as a rough pencil sketch, or a tight rendition in paint, marker, or charcoal pencil. Comps, to me, are interesting....more vitality, energy....often showing more of the creative side of illustration. Finished art usually showed a more technical demonstration of the illustrator's ability to get the job done. Wish I had saved some art director comps from which I worked. Mostly rough, due to time constraints, and to having to churn out so many before the client gave an 'OK'. That actually helped us.....almost anything the illustrator did was an improvement! Once an AD comp came to the illustrator, or a requested comp was provided to the agency (about half the time), there was financial commitment involved....even if the comp was not approved for final art. On occasion, my comps were used as final art. One major national corporation (who will remain nameless) ran my comps on their barbeque briquet packaging for years....having paid only the much lower comp price. Time and cost made it not worth litigation.

Let's get to the comps....and diversity....something I enjoyed over the years. First, a Del Monte children's coloring page, an old fashioned country scene....a point of sale offer.


Not too successful as I recall, but anything to get shopping mothers involved. The comps first...


...then a finished version....from a weak copy, my only record.



Next, a loose comp of a shopper for a Safeway promotion.


Then, a line marker drawing for a story board....minus the usual marker color....can't remember the product. Pancakes, juice....or? Done in the late 60's I believe.


For Japan Airlines....several grey marker comps, again in the late 60's or early 70's. I can't recall the intended use....but finished art was never done.


The large one, shown in sections, was at least full page newspaper in size.


They provided reference on the background decor and stewardess costumes....but the figures were just sketched....very generic.


Almost like mannikins....same age, handsome, no charachter....but after, all it was a comp!


Following....not a comp....but a typical Del Monte B&W plus halftone trade magazine illustration of a vacationing shopping family.


Finally, a charcoal pencil comp for Dole fresh mushrooms....and again, can't remember where this ad appeared.


* Charlie Allen's Flickr set.